Bruce Arena Returns to MLS as San Jose Earthquakes Head Coach

Todd Karpovich

Former United States Men's National Team coach Bruce Arena will be back on the sidelines.

The San Jose Earthquakes announced on Nov. 7 that Arena will be the team's head coach and sporting director.Arena was the head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team at the 2002 World Cup when he led the team into the quarterfinals— its best-ever finish at the prestigious tournament. He returned to coach the team at the 2006 World Cup. He also led the United States to three Concacaf Gold Cup titles.The 73-year-old returns to Major League Soccer , where he leads the league in all-time regular-season wins (262) and MLS Cup Playoffs victories (35)."Bruce is the most accomplished coach in American soccer history, and we are thrilled to bring him to San Jose," San Jose managing partner John Fisher said in a statement . "With an unsurpassed track record at all levels of soccer in our country that includes numerous MLS Cups and Supporters' Shields, he's the ideal choice to lead the Earthquakes.

"We know he will help get the club back to the level that San Jose and the Bay Area deserve, winning games and competing for championships."

In addition, Arena has won five MLS Cups and four Supporters' Shields. He has won the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year award four times.

Arena has coached for four other MLS teams—D.C. United (1996–1998), New York Red Bulls (2006–2007), LA Galaxy (2008–2016) and New England Revolution (2019–2023).

San Jose fired Luchi Gonzalez as coach in June. Ian Russell was hired as the interim coach but had little success.

Arena is tasked with turning around San Jose, which allowed an MLS record of 78 goals. The team also finished in last place in the Western Conference standings with six wins, 25 losses, and three ties for just 21 points.The Earthquakes made the postseason in 2023 for the third time in franchise history, which began in the MLS' inaugural season in 1994 .However, the club has three designated players —Cristian Espinoza, Hernán López, and Carlos Gruezo—so there is potential for a quick turnaround."I am extremely excited for the opportunity to come to San Jose," Arenas said in a statement . "I coached my first ever professional game at Spartan Stadium in 1996—the first game in MLS history—and my first international game with the U.S. in 1998 was in San Jose as well. The Earthquakes and Northern California have a proud soccer tradition.

"There's a lot of potential with the club, and I am looking forward to working with everyone here to unlock that potential and get back to winning ways."